'The Bachelor': And the final rose goes to ...

By Chuck Barney

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
03/10/2014 07:34:16 PM PDT

Updated:
03/10/2014 10:09:10 PM PDT

Juan Pablo Galavis, the former pro soccer player described by Entertainment Weekly as a "shallow, narrow-minded hunk of man meat," brought a merciful end to perhaps the most controversial season in the history of "The Bachelor" Monday night when he made his choice between two remaining women.

And the final rose went to ...

Nikki Ferrell, the 26-year-old nurse from Kansas City, Mo.

But hold on: Because J Pab isn't yet completely sure that marriage is in the cards, he decided not to get down on bended knee and fork over the big rock in St. Lucia. Perhaps that will come later.

Nikki told El Bachelor how much she loved him and he replied by thanking her and telling her that there are many things that he loves about her.

He then recalled how her father told him to be 100 percent sure before issuing a proposal.

"I'm not 100 percent sure that I want to propose to you, but at the same time, I'm 100 percent sure that I don't want to let you go," he told her, adding, "I like you a lot. A lot. So Nikki, will you except my final rose?"

She nodded and said, "Absolutely."

His decision left Clare Crawley, 32, the sensitive hairstylist from Sacramento, out in the cold -- and very, very bitter.

After breaking the bad news to Clare ("I have to say goodbye to you"), he moved in for a hug, but she fended him off -- a move that drew cheers from the in-studio crowd watching a feed of the finale.

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"I saved this moment for the man of my dreams," she said. "I thought that was you. And I thought I knew what kind of man you were."

Then she drove in the final dagger, hissing, "I lost respect for you. ... What you just made me go through, I would never want my children having a father like you." More cheers.

Earlier in the episode, Clare admitted that she was "falling in love" and said she could envision herself as part of J Pab's family "forever."

Or not.

Actually, there were bad signs for Clare during her final date with J Pab. On a helicopter ride, with the cameras off, she said he told her something "insulting and offensive" that made her feel like an "object." It was a "sexual thing," she added. (Apparently about how he enjoyed hooking up with her).

Also on Monday, we learned who will be our next "Bachelorette." During the "After the Rose" special, it was announced that Andi Dorfman, the 26-year-old district attorney from Atlanta will be handing out the roses. She became a fan favorite after she told off J Pab and left the show.

Dorfman made the final 3, but decided to leave after her overnight date in St. Lucia, where J Pab told her she made it to this stage by "default."

Like we said, classy guy.

Juan Pablo was deemed by many fans to be the "worst" Bachelor ever. During the turbulent season, he stirred controversy by making intolerant remarks about gay people, and he was occasionally rude and dismissive toward some of the women. Many fans considered himself too blunt, too complacent, too arrogant, and worst of all, too boring.

During Monday's finale, even some members of El Bachelor's family raised red flags about him. His brother, for one, spoke of how he tends to walk away from relationships when things get "rough."

But how do you feel? Do you think J Pab and Nikki have what it takes to form a lasting partnership? And do you believe she'd be a good mother to his young daughter, Camila? Or is there "doom" written all over this thing?